As Maharashtra gears up for Assembly elections in November, the local unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday hinted that sitting MLA Anna Bansode might be denied ticket in the reserved constituency of Pimpri citing poor health and also because some leaders are upset with his style of functioning.
”The party is looking for candidate who will ensure a victory…We have several aspirants even from Maha Vikas Aghadi who are trying to get our nomination,” Yogesh Behl, the newly-elected president of NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit, told reporters.
Bansode who was elected twice from Pimpri has been under fire from voters due to his inaccessibility. He is close to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Behl said that some leaders have complained to party national president Ajit Pawar that Bansode should be replaced.
”In the last five years, Bansode has been working in the constituency. However, he has not been able to give his cent per cent due to health reasons,” he said.
Behl said the party has received applications from leaders such as Jitendra Nanaware, BJP leader Seema Sawale, Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Chandrakanta Sonkamble and even from former MP Gautam Chabuskar of the Shiv Sena.
”The party has not decided who should be given the ticket. Bansode might be continued. But at the same time, the party is giving a deep thought whether to bring a new face. The party leaders are weighing the options based on the feedback they are getting,” he said.
Behl said Seema Sawale, a former BJP corporator, has for months been trying to get NCP nomination from Pimpri. ”She has been touch with the voters and has been working in the constituency,” he said.
Behl said Jiteendra Nanaware is young and his known for taking up public cause. ”He has the backing of Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne. He is also close to me..,,” Behl said.8
Behl said Chandrakanta Sonkamble is from RPI (A). ”She is ready to join our party. Even Ramdas Athavale has contacted our party chief. He however is backing her claim as RPI candidate,” he said.
When Ajit Pawar had staged rebellion in 2019, Bansode was the only MLA who remained with him till the end. The rebellion fizzled out but Bansode struck close rapport with Ajit Pawar.
According to sources in the NCP, Ajit Pawar would not like to replace Bansode who stood by him during difficult time. ”However, now things have changed. Ajit Pawar wants a leader who will win him a seat. Every seat matters in this election. As a result, the party is thinking of replacing him,” the source added.
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